Felt News

Dean sprints to second at Giro Stage 18

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Italy – With Garmin-Transitions double stage winner Tyler Farrar out of the Giro d’Italia in the final days of the three-week race, Farrar’s lead-out man Julian Dean made the most of an opportunity to sprint for himself, finishing second in Stage 18.

Dean, who has played a pivotal role in helping Farrar elevate his game this year and win two stages at the Giro, put in a strong ride on Thursday, finishing second to stage winner Andre Greipel of Germany.

The 156-kilometer Stage 18, from Levico Terme to Brescia, was the final opportunity for sprinters at this year’s Giro. The final three days of the race will include two brutal mountain stages and a closing time trial.

Stage 18 was fairly flat, and after a two-man breakaway was swept up in the final 3 kilometers, Dean fought his way to the front. Outmanned by some of the other sprinters’ teams, he still managed to power to second on his Felt F1 team bike.